Sheffield Wednesday: Owls great salutes ‘world class’ Springett

Dom Howson

Howard Wilkinson is convinced Owls legend Ron Springett would have been a superstar in the modern era.

Wilkinson, a former Wednesday player, manager and chairman, has revealed his admiration for the Londoner, who died aged 80 last weekend. The Owls will mark the passing of Springett in tomorrow’s clash with Fulham. There will be a minute’s silence and both sets of players will wear black armbands.

Sheffield Wednesday have commissioned a special memorial edition of their match-day programme to former goalkeeper Ron Springett

“Ron was a gentleman as well as being a master of his position,” said Wilkinson. “If he was in the Premier League today, he would be right up there with the best and I don’t say that lightly.

“How much is Joe Hart at Manchester City worth? Because Ron Springett would be in that bracket.

“He was just a star. A star Wednesday player and a star for England. Not many people can say that.”

Wilkinson was a teammate of Springett’s in the 1960s.

“I was only 18-years-old and at that time, Ron was a star, playing for Wednesday and England,” he said.

“But what struck me was that he was just a nice, genuine man.

“Prior to that, when I was 17, I went in for training on a few occasions and Ron used to travel up from London towards the end of the week. I remember him when we trained at Owlerton dog track because we used to walk there from the main ground and walk back.

“Ron would always have some nice words and a smile because that’s the kind of normal, genuine bloke he was – a very mild mannered man but a world class goalkeeper.”

For the full Wilkinson interview, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s match-day programme for £3 tomorrow.